WASHINGTON – As part of its commitment to improve the visitor experience and ensure America’s national parks are protected in perpetuity, the National Park Service (NPS) is considering increases to fees (to $70 per vehicle- BG) at highly visited national parks during peak visitor seasons. Proposed peak season entrance fees and revised fees for road-based commercial tours would generate badly needed revenue for improvements to the aging infrastructure of national parks. This includes roads, bridges, campgrounds, waterlines, bathrooms, and other visitor services.

Grand Canyon National Park has closed the yurt located at CC Hill on the North Rim effective September 21, 2017 for safety concerns. The yurt is scheduled for demolition later this fall. A park superintendent has the authority to "designate areas for a specific use or activity, or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity" as outlined in 36 CFR 1.5(a)(1).

North Rim operations will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services on Sunday, October 15. Reservations for the 2017 season at the Grand Canyon Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, go through October 15. 2018 reservations are ongoing. The last meal served at the Grand Canyon Lodge will be breakfast on the morning of October 16; no food service will be available in the park after this meal. The lodge gift shop will be open through October 31. Self-service gas and diesel fuel will continue to be available. Canyon Trail Rides will offer their last mule rides on October 15.

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating National Public Lands Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Fee-free days give more families opportunities to visit national park sites and enjoy our country's historical, cultural and natural resources.

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Founder's Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park on Friday, August 25, 2017. Fee-free days give more families opportunities to visit national park sites and enjoy our country's historical, cultural and natural resources.

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park can now learn more about the role wildland fire plays at Grand Canyon. The short film "Living with Fire in the Grand Canyon" highlights the importance of returning fire to Grand Canyon's fire-adapted ecosystem.

"Grand Canyon National Park has one of the most active fire management programs in the National Park Service," said Grand Canyon Chief of Fire and Aviation Jay Lusher, "and this film helps us tell our visitors the story of fire at Grand Canyon."

The National Park Service would like to remind everyone that the best way to enjoy Fourth of July at Grand Canyon National Park is safely. Visitors and residents are encouraged to contribute to a safe and enjoyable park experience on Fourth of July by drinking responsibly and not driving under the influence. With the holiday fast approaching, visitors and residents are also reminded that fireworks are prohibited within Grand Canyon National Park at all times.

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Chris Lehnertz invites Flagstaff area residents and park lovers to a Community Conversation on July 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff. Superintendent Lehnertz will be joined by several park staff members at the event.

Lehnertz said, "We have plenty of issues and projects that require official public meetings and public comments. We would like to slow down a little, meet people and start regular community conversations to visit about the park and listen to our nearby communities."

* TEMPERATURE...Upper 90s near 6500 feet including the south
rim, 110 to 116 degrees near the Colorado River including
Phantom Ranch.

* IMPACTS...A prolonged period of hot temperatures is ongoing
and significantly increasing the potential for heat related
illness. Those without access to adequate air conditioning and
hydration are most at risk.

Summer marks the time of year elk cows give birth to calves. Elk cows protecting their calves can become aggressive toward humans. The NPS reminds visitors to view elk and all wildlife from a safe distance. Please never approach, pet, or pose for a picture with wildlife at Grand Canyon. To safely view large animals such as elk, maintain a distance of at least six arms' lengths (75 ft/22 m). Drivers should pull off the road completely and safely to view wildlife and avoid motor vehicle accidents and traffic jams. -NPS

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Whether your interest in the Grand Canyon lies in a quick look from a few of the rim viewpoints, a week-long whitewater trip on the Colorado River, a stay in a lodge on the very edge of the canyon, a leisurely walk along a rim trail, camping in the tall pines of the rim forest, or a multi-day trek into the canyon, this website is for you.

Exploring Grand Canyon is a non-commercial website whose only financial support comes from sales of books, maps, and videos from the Resources page. It is dedicated to providing useful information for all visitors to the Grand Canyon and is based on my more than forty years experience exploring the Canyon and sharing that knowledge through writing and photography.

Special thanks to my friends and fellow Grand Canyon explorers who have provided invaluable help and whose work has made this website a true team effort.

Although every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information on this site, by using this website you take full responsibility for your own safety and recognize that outdoor activities may be hazardous. Exploring Grand Canyon is not affiliated with any government agency, business, or Indian tribe.